India is the world's largest vaccine producer and is attempting to increase immunization rates. It will start vaccinating those aged 45 and older Thursday.
So far, India has conducted approximately 63 million vaccinations. However, with a population of nearly 1.4 billion, that is a small percentage only.
Meanwhile, it announced the largest increase in new coronavirus cases in nearly six months. Deaths rose to the highest in nearly four months.
According to the most recent data, 72,330 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours - the highest daily count since Oct. 11. Daily deaths rose to 459 - the largest single-day increase since Dec. 6.
Mumbai is the epicenter - again. It is now seeing the most cases since the pandemic started. The surrounding state of Maharashtra reported roughly 10 times the number of cases of any other.
Scientists are seeking to identify who is most exposed.
A survey of serologic tests in Mumbai last summer discovered that 57% of the city's slum dwellers had antibodies indicating previous exposure to the virus. However, the number of people with antibodies was much lower in wealthier areas.
Last week, India's health ministry announced the discovery of several variants - including one dubbed a "double mutant" owing to the presence of two mutations. However, the ministry said it was too early to determine if the variant was to blame for the recent increase in infections.
Infections are on the rise in neighboring Pakistan, too. The country reported its highest single-day deaths of the year Tuesday with 100.
Prime Minister Imran Khan tested positive March 20 and President Arif Alvi confirmed Monday he had been infected. Pakistan, which is running low on vaccines, said this week it would import raw materials from China's CanSino Biologics to produce 3 million doses.
Mumbai put all hospitals and nursing homes under temporary government control, according to a circular published earlier this week. It directed asymptomatic patients with no comorbidities to be discharged and that private hospitals reserve all intensive care units for COVID patients.
